After the Dallas Mavericks were criticized in 2023 for acquiring Kyrie Irving, the team now find themselves going to the NBA Finals with Luka Doncic and the one-time champion leading the pack. They do so with by achieving a historic feat that has not been seen since 32 years in the league.
Doncic first entered the NBA as their top rookie in 2018, and the franchise’s best player after that season. Over the years, the Slovenian All-Star rose to prominence by putting up insane numbers on the court, and helping the Mavs compete in the playoffs.
For his part, Irving made his way to the Mavericks after two failed stints with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. This season, the one-time NBA champion turned the negative narrative surrounding his career around by becoming an instrumental part of their Finals journey.
After a failed campaign last year, the duo of Irving and Doncic has successfully led Dallas back to the promised land after the franchise’s only championship run in 2011. They’ll soon go up against Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven series to determine this year’s winners.
Dallas Mavericks Duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic Enter NBA Finals With Historic Feat
While many people downplayed the duo of Doncic and Irving when it was formed last year, it looks like the pair is having the last laugh. As seen in a stat posted by the league’s official account, the two All-Stars are entering the Finals with momentum on their side.
“Luka and Kyrie are the 2nd starting backcourt since 1970-71 to enter the NBA Finals averaging a combined 50+ PPG in the postseason, joining Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter in 1992!” NBA tweeted on X.
Both Drexler and Porter appeared in the 1992 NBA Finals against a Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls team . Even though their iteration of the Portland Trail Blazers failed to win the big one, there’s no denying the amount of talent they had in the backcourt of that year.
Without a doubt, a lot of eyes will be on Doncic and Irving in Game 1 against the Celtics. If they win, the duo can surpass what Drexler and Porter achieved around 32 years ago.
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